The Ministry of Health and Wellness on Tuesday (March 28) officially launched its Animal Assisted Recovery and Care Pilot Project at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston.

Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of Health and Wellness first introduced the project in parliament in November of last year which is targeted at providing comfort to children at the hospital and aiding in their smooth recovery after major surgeries.

The Health Ministry announced the launch of the project in a social media post today and said: “Ongoing research in the United States shows that young patients in AAIs [Animal Assisted Intervention] experience a reduction in behavioural and psychological distress, lower levels of depression, have the benefit of shorter recovery times and enjoy improved satisfaction with hospitalization.”

A Golden Retriever dog named ‘Dr. Teddy Barks’ will be the brand ambassador for the project and the main therapy animal.

The project will also feature other animals such as birds, rabbits and kittens after careful screening.

Other health benefits of the project listed by the Health Ministry include a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, a reduction of stress and anxiety and enhanced enhancement of communication and interaction.